The Diplomat's second season explores the special US-UK relationship and it couldn't be more timely

Netflix’s popular political drama The Diplomat returns with its second season. It follows US Ambassador to the UK Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) as she tries to uncover a conspiracy at the heart of the British government. In doing so, the Diplomat once again has a lot to say about the US-UK “special relationship”.

The series offers some potentially useful (and historically accurate) thoughts as Keir Starmer ponders how best to ensure that the incoming Trump administration remains committed to maintaining that relationship.

Where season one explores a familiar pop culture trope; Transatlantic love triangle – the second season turns its attention to geopolitical issues.

Here is the story of an unusually close bilateral partnership, fueled by history (Churchill is seen glaring from a painting in the ambassador’s London office), shaped by fear of a common enemy (Russia) and pursued with obvious willingness. Sharing almost anything.

The Diplomat says that at the heart of all this is a common language and the strategic benefit Britain provides to Washington’s position in the North Atlantic.

As Irish writer George Bernard Shaw once said: “England and America are two countries separated by a common language”. The underlying assumptions are certainly evident in The Diplomat, which Wyler expresses at one point. Issues of transatlantic differences in policy, perception and protocols frequently arise during heated negotiations. Britons and Americans are getting angry, hostile and annoyed with each other.

But despite various disagreements, the relationship still remains “special” throughout. In fact, the snappy dialogue (à la The West Wing, produced by series creator Deborah Cahn) ultimately provides an assertive response to Shaw’s wry wit.

All the major protagonists, British and American, talk to each other, whether it’s Wyler and his secretary of state, Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), or vice president Grace Penn (played by West Wing veteran Allison Janney) and prime minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear). They were saying something to each other that was more than just familial directness. In one scene, Penn has to stop himself from finishing Dennison’s sentences.

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For Dr Sam Edwards’ full article, visit Speech.

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